Uses of Glucose
- The glucose produced in photosynthesis may be:
- Used for respiration (both aerobic and anaerobic)
- Converted into insoluble starch for storage in the stems, leaves and roots
- Used to produce fat or oil for storage (especially in seeds)
- Used to produce cellulose, which strengthens the cell wall
- Combined with nitrate ions absorbed from the soil to produce amino acids for protein synthesis
The fate of glucose
- A test to show that a plant is photosynthesising is to test the leaf for the presence of starch using iodine
- This can be used to show the effect of light on photosynthesis
Starch testing of leaves shows that photosynthesis has been taking place
Exam Tip
Remember that plants always respire to release energy – but they only photosynthesise during the day if conditions are right.
